Seminarians from the Western Diocese Return to their Diocese for Summer Activities

His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese, welcomed four seminarians home at the diocesan headquarters, as they are back in California for the summer. Pictured (left to right) are Karo Boyadzhyan, who will begin classes at St. Nersess this fall, Arin Parsanian, Rev. Fr. Khajag Shahbazyan, Pastor of St. Leon Armenian Cathedral, Burbank, CA, Abp. Hovnan Derderian, Dn. Garen Hamamjian, and Zareh Mirzayan.

The full-time seminarians will continue to fulfill their educational requirements this summer. Dn. Garen, a third year seminarian, is completing his required chaplaincy work (CPE) at LA USC County Hospital in downtown Los Angeles, where he is visiting and offering emotional and spiritual support to the sick and suffering. Arin, a second year seminarian, traveled to Armenia to volunteer at the FAR Child Protection Center, will serve at Hye Camp in Fresno, and will organize and catalog the Western Diocese library.

Zareh, a second year seminarian, is working at the Western Diocese’s Sound of Children camp as well as Hye Camp in Fresno, CA. And incoming student Karo attended the St. Nersess Deacon’s Training Program last week. He will be the newest priesthood-track student at the seminary this fall.